head-to-head

American

[hed-tuh-hed] / ˈhɛd təˈhɛd /

adjective

in direct confrontation, opposition, or competition.

a head-to-head battle between the two companies.

head-to-head British

adjective

in direct competition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a competition involving two people, teams, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of head-to-head

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

head-to-head

No head-to-head trials have been done of injectable GLP-1 versus orforglipron.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

Jovic is aware Sunday’s match is a massive opportunity to prove her rapid ascent is no fluke and flip the script on her head-to-head deficit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

In qualifying, the fight is as close as ever, but Norris is currently leading their head-to-head 7-4, and is ahead on pace by just 0.022secs.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

Major tech companies are going head-to-head in the race to dominate AI, competing to sway talent and consumers into using their products.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

Ms, Wyman and Addie are also going head-to-head on this third-party business, of course.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023